Third Hokage

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Third Hokage; Hiruzen Sarutobi
Alias(es)	Lord Hokage; Third Generation
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Konohagakure (Hidden Leaf Village)
Occupation/Role	Hokage; leader of Konoha
First Appearance	Chapter 5

Appearance

An elderly man who wears the red-and-white robes of the Hokage. He has a white beard and is frequently depicted smoking a pipe in his office. 5 45

• Maintains a kindly, smiling demeanor when speaking to Yun Xi, despite his initially overwhelming presence. 5
• His Kage-level aura is described as immovable and oppressive when Yun Xi first meets him. 5

Personality

The Third Hokage is observant, politically shrewd, and deeply focused on Konoha’s stability. He investigates Yun Xi immediately after witnessing him protect Naruto, then directly tests the boy’s loyalty to the village. 5

He prefers negotiation and peaceful solutions where possible, including supporting Itachi’s initial wish to resolve the Uchiha conflict without violence. However, his longstanding tolerance of Danzo’s covert actions reflects a willingness to accept certain “dark” costs for village stability. 29 46

Yun Xi considers him capable of warmth toward children such as Naruto while remaining willing to eliminate genuine threats to Konoha. 28

Abilities & Skills

Telescope Technique

The Third Hokage uses a crystal ball to remotely observe events and individuals across Konoha.

• Witnessed Yun Xi calming Naruto during the Ninja Academy incident. 5
• Monitored Yun Xi’s return to the village after his unauthorized departure. 28
• His surveillance allowed him to notice Yun Xi’s use of the forbidden Multi-Shadow Clone Technique. 28

Ninjutsu Mastery

He is known for exceptionally broad ninjutsu knowledge and is regarded as the “Professor of Ninjutsu.” 45

• The Five Styles: Great Barrage Technique is identified as his signature ninjutsu. 49
• Yun Xi considers him one of the few Konoha fighters capable of reliably defeating him during the early Uchiha crisis. 10
• Obito identifies him as Konoha’s only known Kage-level ninja before learning of Yun Xi’s strength. 33

Leadership and Mobilization

As Hokage, he commands Konoha’s Anbu and can rapidly mobilize the village’s jonin forces.

• Ordered Anbu to investigate Yun Xi and later summoned him to the Hokage Office. 5
• Assigned two Anbu Chunin to protect Yun Xi after learning Danzo had placed him under surveillance. 9
• Convened more than thirty available Konoha Jonin and dispatched them to retrieve Yun Xi from the Root Division. 46

Background / History

After observing Yun Xi defuse Naruto’s outburst at the Ninja Academy, the Third Hokage ordered an investigation into the boy’s background. Learning that Yun Xi was a civilian war orphan whose parents died during the Nine-Tails Incident, he summoned him for a personal audience. 5

During their meeting, he tested Yun Xi by asking whether he would protect Konoha if he alone had the power to save it. Yun Xi’s answer—that Konoha was his home—earned a brief but favorable response. 5

He subsequently asked Yun Xi to look after Naruto in daily life. Yun Xi accepted after negotiating payment, receiving one million yen upfront and a monthly allowance of 100,000 yen. 6

As Danzo’s interest in Yun Xi increased, the Third Hokage responded by arranging Anbu protection. He continued to watch Yun Xi closely, especially after the latter’s unauthorized departure from Konoha and use of the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique. 9 28

Before the Uchiha Clan Downfall Incident, he supported Itachi’s desire for a peaceful resolution. The conflict escalated beyond that possibility after Root’s premature involvement and the Uchiha rebellion spread into Konoha. 29 34

Story Role / Major Arcs

Yun Xi’s Enrollment

• Observes Yun Xi’s intervention on Naruto’s behalf through his crystal ball. 5
• Investigates Yun Xi’s civilian-war-orphan background and summons him for a loyalty test. 5
• Entrusts Yun Xi with helping care for Naruto. 6

Surveillance by Danzo and Yun Xi’s Departure

• Learns that Danzo is monitoring Yun Xi and deploys Anbu protection. 9
• Questions Yun Xi over his unexplained mastery of the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique after he returns to Konoha. 28
• Allows Karin to receive a Hidden Leaf identity after confirmation of her Uzumaki lineage. 30

Uchiha Clan Downfall Incident

• Favored a peaceful settlement between Konoha and the Uchiha Clan through Itachi. 29
• Prepares to intervene once Root’s early actions and the Uchiha rebellion turn the conflict into open fighting. 34
• Receives the Anbu report that the Uchiha Clan has been completely wiped out. 38

Root Division Crisis

• Sends Anbu to bring Yun Xi and Karin to him after Danzo attempts to take Karin into Root. 43
• Is shocked to learn that Yun Xi defeated Kakashi, a major Konoha combat asset. 45
• Mobilizes Konoha’s available Jonin to retrieve Yun Xi and prevent Danzo from driving away a potential top-tier shinobi. 46

Relationships

• Yun Xi — Watches him closely after his intervention with Naruto; tests his loyalty, asks him to care for Naruto, and later seeks to protect him from Danzo’s actions. 5 6 9 46
• Naruto Uzumaki — Looks after Naruto despite not openly coddling him; asks Yun Xi to provide him with daily care and companionship. 4 6
• Danzo — Political rival whose surveillance of Yun Xi and attempt to seize Karin eventually force the Third Hokage to intervene. 9 46
• Uchiha Itachi — Agreed with Itachi’s original effort to resolve the Uchiha conflict peacefully. 29
• Karin — Approves her stay in Konoha and promises a Hidden Leaf identity once her Uzumaki bloodline is verified. 30
• Hatake Kakashi — Treats Kakashi as a significant Konoha combat asset and reacts with disbelief when Yun Xi defeats him. 45

Trivia

• Yun Xi initially judges the Third Hokage’s aura as proof that he is a true Kage-level powerhouse. 5
• Danzo suspects Yun Xi may be the Third Hokage’s secret disciple after seeing him use the Five Styles: Great Barrage Technique. 49